History Comp Coupes, All but forgotten?

i have a pop hot rod mag that has a layout of the Marner car .

 

We're seeing a lot of Altereds – but that's alright with me!

It seems that in the very early days, what would later break out into Gassers, Altereds and Competition Coupes, were often combined into "C".

 

The body looks like a shortened English Mini wagon/delivery

Roo

 

Interesting space frame

 

Is that a space frame or a drag link.

 

It's the drag link. Back in the 60's guys would try using a truss on the drag link to keep it from whipping at speed. The flex would cause steering problems.

 

Here is a better shot.


Roo

 

Hello,
Nice photo of the Leffler-Loukas Competition Coupe from 1959-60 era. It was on a terror tour of the West Coast and did show the locals what a Competition Coupe looks like from the Midwest. It was awesome to see it in person and hear it rip down the dragstrip, at Lions and at the Bakersfield Smokers 1960 March Meet.

Here is a compilation film of the Leffler-Loukas Competition Coupe from 1959-60 era.


Sorry, no sound, (Searching and editing) but, you get the idea that the racecar was fast and loud.

Thanks,

Jnaki
Note: the rolling "California Stop" most laugh at for all Californians when approaching the red stop sign at most corners in the state. Fair or not fair in this drag race?

 

Loukas & Preising Bigger shot.

 

That is Leffler & Loukas. Preising partnered with Loukas after Leffler & Loukas split up.
Leffler partnered with Bill Coburn (the guy he put the rolling start on in the video) and they created the "Iron Mistress" twin engined Messerschmidt.

 

I think this is the same car from ROD ILLUSTRATED from Apr. '59 with a different paint job. The story is on page 34. My scanner isn't working or I'd post it for you.

 

Yes it is the same car, before Loukas partnered with Neil Leffler.

 

Casper

 

A&B speed shop

 

MEL or Y block?

 

posted by swi66 in the vintage thread

 

posted by 40ragtopdown in the traditional images thread

 

January 1960 Mystery presentation

Hello,

There have been plenty of times when a mystery from 60 years ago has puzzled me. I had taken the films of this memorial race for Mickey Brown, an outstanding, local So Cal, race car driver. At the time, I knew what it was, who and when. But, over the years of lugging the 16mm film cans all over So Cal in many house moves solidified the mystery. The mystery of why always followed me around when I made a VHS tape of drag racing.

Why was the Neil Leffler-John Loukas Competition Coupe being given a trophy at Lions Dragstrip in 1960? I finally found the answer. It was a big event for So Cal (Lions) drag racing supporters/racers and community. After the tragic accident for young, 21 year old, Mickey Brown in late 1959, (not in his Quincy Automotive Olds FED) the local drag race community decided to help out his young family with a Mickey Brown Memorial Drag Race Event held at Lions Dragstrip in 1960.
Mickey Brown at Lions Dragstrip 1959

It was a huge benefit drag race that was touted, not to be missed in So Cal. Despite all of the top names in drag racing in attendance, the Leffler Loukas Competition Coupe set a 1320 record in the Competition Coupe Class.

Leffler Loukas Trophy


Jnaki

$11,000 in 1960 equals approximately $96,000 today.
The drag racing community at their best!!! Including a couple of teenage brothers, wandering all over the dragstrip recording what they could at the time.

 

“Flaming” Frank Pedregon


Sent from my iPad using H.A.M.B.

 

Frank only "flamed" in the heavy night air Saturday nights at LIONS. It was a hell of a show!

 

posted by swi66 in the vintage thread

 

The "skirts" looked cool, but were a terrible idea. The cockpit instantly filled with tire smoke.

 

...a lil doodle...